Cessna 408

Single Turboprop

The Cessna 408 SkyCourier is a twin-boom utility turboprop purpose-built for cargo and commuter operations, certified by the FAA in 2020. Developed specifically to meet FedEx's requirements for a high-wing freighter to replace aging Cessna Caravans, the SkyCourier features a boxy fuselage optimized for LD3 container loading, a rear cargo door, and a 900-shaft-horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC engine. Its unpressurized cabin can accommodate three LD3 containers or up to 19 passengers in commuter configuration, with a maximum payload of 2,700 pounds and a range of approximately 900 nautical miles. The aircraft's design prioritizes operational simplicity and low acquisition cost over speed or pressurization. Maximum cruise speed is around 200 knots, with a service ceiling of 25,000 feet, modest figures that reflect its mission as a workhorse for short-haul freight and passenger routes. The high wing and fixed tricycle landing gear provide excellent ground clearance for unpaved strips, while the twin-boom empennage allows unobstructed cargo access through the rear. Cessna delivered the first production SkyCourier to FedEx in May 2020, with the launch customer ordering 50 airframes for its feeder network. Beyond FedEx, the type has found operators in regional cargo, charter, and humanitarian missions where rugged reliability and payload volume matter more than cabin comfort. The SkyCourier competes directly with the Viking Twin Otter and Shorts 360 in the utility turboprop segment, offering modern avionics (Garmin G1000 NXi) and lower operating costs than older designs. Its straightforward systems and single-engine configuration keep maintenance overhead minimal, a critical advantage for operators serving remote airstrips in Alaska, the Caribbean, and developing regions. SkyMeter has tracked 315 flights across 33 airframes and 14 operators, with FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP the largest observed operator.